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Vocabulary Tip for Speaking Band 6.5

Here’s a quick tip for candidates who need Band 6.5. According to the official IELTS marking criteria, you need to have a wide enough vocabulary to talk about a range of different topics. However, you don’t have to use many “less common” words and phrases like with higher bands. Therefore, there is no need to learn very advanced vocabulary like advanced phrasal verbs and idioms.

In fact, if you try to use this kind of vocabulary in the Speaking test, it could negatively affect your score because:

you might not sound natural

you might mispronounce the words

you might use them out of context

the examiner might not understand what you mean

For the Speaking test, my advice is to learn lots of useful “common” words and phrases for a range of familiar topics, for example:

food and drink

holiday activities

transport

work and study

sport and games

describing people

shopping

weather

describing photos

learning languages

clothes and fashion

music

computers

Need Speaking Band 6.5?

Learn more essential tips for your target band

If your target band is 6.5, you can find many more tips like this in Speaking Band 6.5, a unique and essential book specifically designed to help you achieve your band.